Dongsa – Korea – Zen Temple of the Zen Patriarchs of Korea
The year of establishment of Dongsa Temple is not clear, but the records inform that it was not destroyed even during the japanese invasion of 1592. According to records, as Dongsa temple is surrounded by lots of oddly rocks and old trees as if piercing the sky with profound energy, it is an asceticism place where deep mind ascetic zen monks stayed since ancient times.
If you drink a cup of tea brewed by the zen master of Dongsa temple, your mouth will be full of incence throughout the pilgrimage. (Zen Meister Pohwa Sunim)
Mount Dobi is 365 m above sea level, the kings of Joseon Dynasty brought their troops to take lessons at mount Dobi, according to Hosanrok writtten by Han Yeo-Hyeon in 1619, and there was a beacon mound at the summit.
It is the asceticism place of scenic beauty, in which people can see Cheonsoo bay, Ganwol Island and Mount Oseo in front, Boryeong and Goonsan bay in the distance. Mount Deoksoong, mount Yeonam and Samjoon peak are on the left. Birdland is on the right, and the entire Anmyeon Island, the beaches and islands of the west coast can be seen at a look.
According to one record buddhist zen master Moohak, the only kings teacher of the Joseon Dynasty, practiced here. And in recent years it is a known as a place of worship for buddhist priests of high virtue such as great zen master Mangong, zen master Hye-Am and zen master Myo-Vong of Sudeoksa temple at mount Deoksoong. In the precincts, there is the oldes cherry tree in Korea with the circumference of more than 3 m, which welcomes visitors stepping on Dongsa temple during a pilgrimage to the country.
The Zen Patriarchs of Korea meditated and examined life and death in this Zen temple.
